ARTICLE
Keeping with city tradition, Donchez unveiled his $74 million budget Friday morning during a Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce breakfast event at Moravian College. The plan holds the line on taxes but the city does plan to hike sewer rates 10 percent. "In 2016, we moved towards prioritizing investment in three critical areas: streets, parks and downtowns," Donchez said. "And in 2017, you will see a continuation of these priorities throughout our efforts." The 2016 budget raised taxes by a little more than 2 percent and increased the recycling fee by $10. The first 2017 budget hearing is scheduled for Nov. 21 with final adoption by city council set for December. The city began this budget season with a projected $1.9 million shortfall, which Donchez proposes closing through a refinancing, departmental consolidations, higher employee health care contributions and an early retirement program. Read the whole article here.
"In 2016, we moved towards prioritizing investment in three critical areas: streets, parks and downtowns," Donchez said. "And in 2017, you will see a continuation of these priorities throughout our efforts."
The 2016 budget raised taxes by a little more than 2 percent and increased the recycling fee by $10.
The first 2017 budget hearing is scheduled for Nov. 21 with final adoption by city council set for December.
The city began this budget season with a projected $1.9 million shortfall, which Donchez proposes closing through a refinancing, departmental consolidations, higher employee health care contributions and an early retirement program.
Read the whole article here.